This one is kind of a cliffhanger, and it's the first step Yume took towards the friends she considered troublesome. After a few more twists, I'm planning to end the First year arc at Chapter 20 and starts the Second year arc, which would be last one before, High School, if I decide to write one anyway.
Pairings : Undecided
Warnings : Teikō Middle School Days.
Disclaimer : I own only the OCs.
Chapter 14 - The spectators see more of the game than the players
When the much awaited Saturday comes, Yume thought that the tanned teen would be the happiest boy alive.
So when she arrived at Teikō to catch the bus along with everyone of the Teikō Basketball Club, which Momoi and Akashi has gotten permission from the Coach for, and saw Aomine's sullen expression with a bump on the back of his head, she's in for a confusion.
"Err... What happened, Sat-chan..?" Yume whispered to her seatmates and bestfriend, as the bus started its engine for a 30 minutes journey.
The basketball guys are seated at the back, while the manager, Coach and some others with non-player position sit on the front-half of the bus, including Yume.
Momoi immediately understands Yume's underlying question, after all her childhood friend's mood has plummet when he discovered what he really should have known. He's just too ignorant and stupid that it frustrates her.
She sighed. "..Base line is, First years are only to participate in matches after the 2nd Term has started, which is about 2 months from now.." Momoi explained with a tired voice.
"..And I say Daiki-kun didn't know that?" Yume replied with a nod. It's a plausible argument when Aomine didn't even know about the Student Council election which was widely booming at school.
Another sigh escaped Momoi's lips. She looks exasperated. "Yes...!" she almost-shouted. Frankly, she expected that at least her idiot for a childhood friend would know that one simple regulation before he registered for the club, but no! He just has to be that stupid, idiot basket-baka!
Teikō Basketball Club upholds one absolute rule; Winning is everything. Other than that, to preserve their amazing reputation, freshmen are to undergo basic training for the first 3 months before they are allowed to play in matches, be it official or not.
While the acceptance of the 4 freshmen to the First string is unprecedented, the simple fact that they are freshmen doesn't change, and they are to be treated equally like the other freshmen. This is done to make sure none goes out of orders.
And Aomine, being the one-track mind basket-baka he is, joins the club without a second thought only when he heard the school is renowned for having a strong basketball club. Never has he thinks of the 2nd Term regulation, or that he's told to come only to observe the match and not to partake in it.
"..This morning.." Momoi began, recalling the time when she came to Aomine's house to discover he's all awake and ready to go, which was a big shock.
Flashbacks...
As part of her daily responsibility, Momoi pushed open the door to the Aomine's household, her own bag on her shoulder.
"Dai-chan! Wak—"
"Oh. Satsuki. You're here." Aomine remarked casually. He was just about to wear his shoes and stepped out of his home when Momoi entered his house. "Let me wear the shoes then let's go." he noted as he bended down to slip on his sneakers.
"Wa-Wait, Wait, Wait!" Momoi chanted with a bewildered tone, staring at her childhood friend like he just grew another head. "You're actually awake and ready?! What or who do I thank for this miracle, Dai-chan?!" she shrieked.
"Hah?" Aomine raised his brow. "What are you talking about, Satsuki? There's no way I'm missing a basketball game." he stated as if it's the most obvious thing in the world.
This time, Momoi raised her brow instead. "There is a practice match with the Tomigaoka Middle School." she began, her eyes narrowing at the tanned teen suspiciously. "..but you know about the 2nd Term rule, don't you, Dai-chan?" she whispered cautiously.
Aomine continued to tie his sneakers, without sparing a glance to the pinkette. "What kind of stupid rule is that? Something about basketball?" he asked in disinterest.
A palm soon made its way to Momoi's forehead, a frustrated look on her face as her shoulders slumped backwards. How is she going to break this to the idiot here? Straight and clean. She inhaled deeply.
"Listen, Dai-chan.." Momoi began weakly as Aomine tied his other shoes after having done with one side. Her eyes holed on top of his head. "...Only the 2nd years and 3rd years are playing in today's game."
5 seconds passed. 10 seconds passed. 15 seconds pass—
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?!"
Aomine hollered with such force that Momoi back pedalled a few steps. His outburst must have caused some birds in the neighbourhood to fly away in distress.
Not to mention the tanned teen's parents flinched as his father slammed the bathroom door open, asking what the hell is going on, while a rattan carpetbeater made its way to the unsuspecting boy's head, courtesy of his mother who was spanking some laundries.
Flashback ends...
"...I-I see.." Yume muttered in response, keeping her other thoughts to herself. She stole a glance at the sulking boy from the bus window on her side.
Speaking honestly, she feels bad for Aomine after she had seen how his eyes sparkled at the mention of the game when they first told her about it. However, she knows how and why the 2nd Term rule exists and the reason why it must be obeyed with no excuses.
Think about it. Teikō Basketball Club housed more than a hundred of players, and a huge reputation to boot. To manage such a huge organisation, orders must be made and it serves to be followed without further questioning or it would crumble into nothingness.
This 2nd Term rule is one that solidifies the freshmen's position in the club, and they are unconsciously demanded to obey the very first rule before the other, proving their loyalty to the club and their seriousness before they actually carry the name of Teikō to matches.
"..Is there really no chance of Daiki-kun and the rest playing in this match, Sat-chan?" Yume murmured, her gaze fixated on Aomine's reflection on the window.
The rest, which obviously refers to the colourful bunches whose attendances are required despite no participation is allowed.
Momoi sighed. She's been doing that a lot today, mostly because the idiotic friend. "Unless the 2nd years and 3rd years magically fell sick with stomachaches, that they have to be transported to nearby hospital, then I say none, Yuu-chan..."
'Magic, eh?' Yume mused. Considering today's high-end technologies, magic is out of the question. Although, she didn't stop considering other possibilities that might actually work.
Looking at her bestfriend's thoughtful looks, Momoi smiles sweetly. She is happy that Yume finally considers Aomine as her friend then just her childhood friend. This is one of the reason why she adores the girl, Yume is just a sweet, caring friend!
"Don't worry too much, Yuu-chan! I have no doubt that Dai-chan will return happy because I cooked him my special Satsuki's 5 Stars Healthy Bento!" Momoi chirped as her eyes gleamed with confidence and pride. Not knowing how her seatmate flinched.
Uh. Oh. Seems like Aomine will end up in hospital for stomachache due to food poisoning today. Rather than magic, it seems Momoi's cooking is a much more powerful spell.
Yume wisely keeps her silence throughout the journey, avoiding any further discussion of Momoi's special bento in fear of said girl offering one for her. Momoi is a nice girl who loves to share, but her cookings left something to be desired.
It wasn't long before they reach their destination, and the players alighted the bus in a carefree yet confident manners, having a superior air around them. Tomigaoka Middle School might be one of Tokyo's powerhouse, but Teikō's undefeated streaks are definitely better in all aspects.
Aomine begrudgingly trudged after his senpais with obvious distaste. Just because they are born one or two years early, they got to hog the games under his nose which is just plain unacceptable.
Of course, being the ignorant boy he is, Aomine doesn't consider any other reasons. All he knows is that he can't play because he is born late.
Midorima doesn't fare much better. He actually considers himself ready for a match with one of Tokyo's powerhouse if he's teamed with the other first years.
He might not show it, or say it for that matter, but he respects and acknowledges Akashi's, Murasakibara's, and even Aomine's abilities and their readiness to play much like his.
Murasakibara is annoyed because he's not here out of his own volition. He doesn't even play in this game, so why must he attends and missed his weekend trip to his favourite patisserie?
It's also nagging at him how he's not allowed to play just because of he's a freshmen. He is one of Teikō's best Centers even amongst the First string. What will he even learn from a game of those mostly weaker than him?
Akashi, on the other hand, doesn't seem bothered with the situation at all. He's not sulking, frowning, nor is he complaining like the other three. Besides, when you actually see Akashi acting like them, it's practically the end of the world.
However, what goes through his mind is a different matter altogether. What's hidden is most unexpected, and Akashi might just be using his calculating mind to create a favourable situation to him. Then again, who knows what the redhead is thinking.
The game has been going on for quite a while now, the 2nd Quarter is nearing its end. Teikō is definitely leading with 54 to 48, Tomigaoka slightly lagging behind. The scores are to be expected since both schools are strong, their players' strengths almost equal in overall and not individuals.
What's weird, however, is the tremendous amount of sweats dripping from Teikō's players. Even Nijimura looks like he's having a hard time. And other then the sweats, there're the purple bruises in all 5 of Teikō players.
Coach Sanada narrowed his eyes in disgust. He can't believe that the once respected school has sunk so low to resort into foul plays in their own grounds. The referee also belongs to their side, which is supporting their shady plays.
So far, he can see that the 2nd years and 3rd years are faring nicely against the dirty plays pitted against them. It's one of the things experience can teach you, avoiding foul plays and being aware of the referee's line of vision.
However, he can also see that his players are nearly at their limits before collapsing. Their prides about the only thing that keeps them strong and standing. Coach Sanada sneaks a glance to his bench players, the freshmen restrained under the 2nd Term rule and he gritted his teeth.
Even he can see that Teikō is bound to lose if this keeps on. He only bring along 8 First string players that consisted of 2nd years and 3rd years, and another 4 players being 1st years. The 3 reserve players can be substituted on the latter half, likely the 3rd Quarter, and it still won't be enough.
For once, Coach Sanada finds himself cursing the 2nd Term rule.
As the manager, Momoi is sitting on the bench next to Coach Sanada, the right one as the left side is where the boys, the players, sit on. Yume is sitting with her, being a guest.
"This is awful.." Momoi muttered under her breath, only enough for Yume to hear. She can see Teikō losing, and Coach Sanada still won't send out Aomine and the rest! She also doesn't like seeing her senpais battered up like that.
What can she do to stop this and overturn the game into their favour? How can she convince Coach Sanada to recall the players and send the freshmen instead? Questions riddled her thoughts as Momoi frowned deeper.
Yume shares Momoi's thoughts regarding the game. It's downright dirty and disgusting with the underhanded plays. The referee must either be blind or he's actually supporting a wrong cause.
A look at Momoi's anxious expression and Coach Sanada's gritted teeth are enough to tell Yume the graveness of the situation. She turned to see where the colourful boys are sitting, and she is not surprised to the expressions on their faces, ranging from mildly annoyed to immense fury.
Furious is a close word to describe Aomine's emotion as he bore holes on the court where dirty plays he dislikes are happening freely left and right. He's even more frustrated as he can't play, he tried begging his Coach, but no matter how he asked, the answer is still 'no'. He clenched his fists hard, his nails digging into his palm.
It's a daily sight to see Midorima frowning, so there might not be anything different other then his threatening air leaking out from his clouded glasses. As one with logical understanding, he can see why his Coach won't let them play even with the grave situation. He understands, but he can't help his feelings that's urging him to abandon all rules and just dashed to the court.
The giant purplehead might not enjoy basketball as much as his teammates, but he shares their reluctance to losing. So with how things are on court, rather than the underhanded plays, what bothered Murasakibara the most is that Teikō is on verge of losing if this keeps up. Worse, he's deprived of his snacks and he is stressed more than ever with no outlet.
Even the calm Akashi is mildly annoyed, though his feelings can only be sensed by Yume, who noticed the faint flickers of annoyance in his ruby orbs. Other then that, Akashi looks fairly neutral like he normally is. But then again, there's a proverb that says, the calm before storm.
After a through observation on the boys and the immense frustrations she picked, Yume is even more anxious. Certainly, she didn't expect this situation when she woke up this morning to watch what she believed to be an ordinary, friendly practice match of basketball.
Yume doesn't understand basketball until just few days ago. She is not part of Teikō Basketball Club, and nor does she have a responsibility to help the freshmen boys that have mostly bothered her with their presences alone.
However.
Yume has to admit that it's been more of a school life these days when friends, finally entered her frame. It's not peaceful like she imagined it, definitely not, but there's a sense of joy every time they sat down and talk. It's... fulfilling.
A slight peek to her left, Yume can see a pink wrapped, 3-layered box, some supplements and proteins, thermoses with water, and lastly some white fluffy towels stacked neatly.
'..Just this once...' Yume gulped nervously. She decided to pluck her courage, and did something she might regret later on.
If the Coach won't send the 1st years out to the court, if Momoi can't convince him to, and if having the boys play be the only way out of this messy situation...
Then so be it.
As the only 'outsider' with no expectation and responsibility on her shoulders, Yume will perform her magic spell.
Author's note:
So yeah, how is it?
Read and Reviews~
