Another day, another chapter.

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EDIT - review corner removed after the end of the story for a clearer look - EDIT

I have like really no time. And I'm so late. And stuff awaits me. And more stuff! I'm SO sorry for the long wait and late update and everything. It's really, really short. And a little less from everything but yeah, life, you know? A few hoped for a Haizaki trouble event, but I honestly couldn't squish them in this chapter. I tried. Like a few times but it was impossible because it always ended up too forced to my liking. And you know me, I want everything to be realistic and with a good flow.

Maybe later? Just not now yet, haha. Thank you for all the lovely reviews and the follows and the favorites! You guys are amazing!

DAY ONE HUNDRED SIXTY NINE II

She couldn't shake off the feeling that she'd never be able to face Murasakibara in the future without being scared again. It was certainly different from the anxiety she had developed in the beginning because of Aomine. Her tall classmate who always looked rather angry from afar and whose attitude she had only met rarely at the start of their first semester had quickly formed her fear of being crushed or murdered - that is until she really got to know him.

Murasakibara, however, was a whole different thing. A real titan with hands which could curl around her head easily, crushing it without a problem...although the most important evidence, the orange-head had, was definitely the moment he had broken the hoop. All he did was dunk the ball, his weight and strength tearing the board and metal ring down. The pole which held the construction bent at a horrible angle and that all because of a single human being.

Yeah, Mia thought, definitely not ever facing him alone again.

She was lucky she had chocolate on that day. Who knew what he would have done if she didn't have any sweets?

The girl could sympathize with the teenagers on the court. Fighting against the impossible enemy, crawling their way through the strong defense - it felt like an eternity. Losing, scoring. A team member of Seirin had to leave the court because of an injury; Mia had never known how intense the sport really was. It wasn't only the match she had seen of Aomine; it seemed that every single one was just as difficult, tense and extreme.

And all of that had rushed past her before she had met Satsuki and her classmate. A complete world.

"Kagami-san's jumps are really amazing." The orange haired girl murmured.

As they had arrived, Seirin High had not a single point. Nothing. They were losing and the second quarter had already started. But here they were, cheering loudly. With a score of 72 to 73, they had made the impossible happen. Always so close, yet enough.

It made their victory only sweeter. The hard work and training paying off.

"Yeah." Satsuki agreed at her side, smiling broadly while the blue haired teen beside them only snorted.

"He was lucky he finally got his damn head in the game by the end."

"Hush, Dai-chan." The club manager quickly huffed, pulling Mia along the corridor towards the rest area of the tall building. "Tetsu-kun won. And he was finally able to score, too. So don't destroy the good mood!"

Aomine frowned at her, clicking his tongue in annoyance although in the end he stayed quiet. Maybe he just wasn't in the mood to start an argumentation; the bubbly girl was surely as stubborn as he was. And who knew how often they already had such differences, the two of them knew best when to leave something as it was and when to not...or at least Mia hoped so. She surely couldn't always play the messenger between the childhood friends if a fight did escalate.

"I'm actually thirsty." Mia started to reel the conversation away from the previous match. Successfully earning the attention of her friends. "I saw a vending machine at the entrance earlier, you want something, too?"

"Oh, something warm would be great - maybe tea?"

The girl smiled and nodded. "Tea, check. What about you, Aomine?"

"I'm good." He grumbled as he sat down a chair, stretching out his long legs.

Satsuki joined him, relieving her feet after all the standing they had done. Her round eyes rolled up to the orange-head, her lips curling into a bright smile.

"Thanks, Mi-chan."

Tea.

Green tea? Lemon tea? What in the world was rose tea?

Mia stared at the different kinds. A lemonade can was already in her left hand, her own choice easy. But now the girl regretted that she hadn't asked Satsuki which kind of tea she wanted. Maybe she liked something more mature and bitter - but the bubbly basketball club manager always reminded her of sweet things so she couldn't just go with something herb.

A bit over-challenged she had looked for different vending machines in the great gym. In hope that maybe one of them had a certain type of tea which would make it suddenly obvious which was the right choice. And in the end Mia was desperate enough to seek out the last one just outside the building.

It was her luck that they all offered the very same variety of drinks...

...maybe just fruit tea then that was definitely the safe choice...

Slowly she pushed a few coins into the slot, pressing two buttons which were needed to make the machine work. Mia could hear the buzzing of the gears inside the metal box. The only real noise outside next to a few voices in the distance, they were still lots of visitors around who enjoyed the break before the next match started. It wasn't only Yōsen High and Seirin that played today. She hadn't realized it before until Satsuki mentioned it and asked if she was still free to watch the next one as well.

Kaijō High was playing.

This time she didn't need to ask why they wanted to see that match. Kise Ryōta was attending that high school, the popular model. One of Aomine's old friends. She was honestly a bit curious to see him play; the blond haired guy had been printed on so many covers already. Magazines of all kinds mentioned him - but if Aomine got along with him, he surely must be good at basketball, too.

"Probably one of those natural talents at everything..." She mumbled quietly, crouching down to grab the warm can of tea out of the vending machine.

"There you are."

Mia gasped out of surprise, jumping to her feet. Her gaze whipped around, her thoughts had been loud enough in her own head to keep her busy but to suddenly be awoken like that had actually shocked her to say the least.

"Aomine..."

Her tall classmate stood behind her, the familiar bored expression gracing his face as he stuffed both of his hands into the pockets of his parka.

"Satsuki won't shut up that you've been gone for too long...why are you outside?"

She smiled sheepishly at the teen, showing him her final choice concerning the tea for the bubbly girl. "I couldn't decide which tea Satsuki-san would like...so I just...searched for a while."

Aomine sighed. For him it probably sounded like a silly reason, although to her it was important. Kinda, at least. She didn't want to disappoint the club manager in any way; she was always so nice to her. For the basketball player it was all too much trouble obviously and he lifted his brow as he nodded towards entrance.

"Let's get back then."

"You're sure you don't want anything?"

His eyes fell towards the vending machine in front of them, scanning the selection for a second before he finally gave in and dug through his pocket for a few coins. As Aomine stepped forward to press the few needed buttons for his drinks, he leaned his weight onto his left foot. Thoughtful for a short second.

"You didn't meet a guy named Haizaki on your way...right?"

"Haizaki?" Puzzled she held onto both cans in her hands, watching the tall teenager beside her press the final button. "Is he another friend of yours?"

Aomine bent down to pick up the can he had bought, frowning at her as he did so. "Not really. Just heard he's playing against Kise...can't really stand him."

Mia hummed quietly to herself, her mind trying to recall if she had ever heard of that person before. But in the end she couldn't. It was an unknown name without a face. Slowly the girl pushed the cans into her jacket's pockets, wondering if she should ask a bit more about a person Aomine didn't seem to like that much. It was rare that he clearly spoke of his distaste towards a person in that way.

All he did was call others annoying. Or too weak. But never really a personal grudge.

"Well...I didn't, I think." She replied in the end.

"Good." Aomine mumbled absent-minded, after he took a gulp from his drink. "It's better that way."

A bit confused she glanced at her classmate. Not understanding what thoughts had plagued his mind after he had heard from Satsuki that Haizaki was here. Nor that he had mainly searched for her to make sure she wouldn't meet that guy in the first place.

Although the blue haired teen thought she didn't need to know that.

"Basketball surely is amazing." Mia said quietly.

Aomine's attention shifted until it all lay upon the girl in front of him. She had started to play with the strap of her bag, her eyes watching her rosy fingertips as they pulled and tugged at the fabric. The orange haired girl had to remember the few times she had played the sport with her tall classmate. And not to forget the matches and the practice in the recent weeks...Mia would have never expected herself to be a fan of any sport. She had never really cared for any sport before, it was always something which was far away from her previous life.

"I can't wait to see you play again, too."

The blue haired basketball player grinned at her lopsided, throwing his empty can into a trash bin.

"I'm going to win next time."

Mia nodded, this time there was no doubt or concern in her mind as she heard him state that. Ever so confident like he always was.

"I'm cheering you on."